Introduction to Lens Design

Level: Introductory Length: 7 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: This course is intended for engineers, scientists, managers, technicians, and students whose main job function is not lens design, but are occasionally called upon to specify, design, analyze, or review an optical system and would like to have a better understanding of the subject. No previous knowledge of geometrical optics, optical design, and computer optimization is assumed. Description: Have you ever needed to specify, design, or analyze a lens system and wondered how to do it or where to start? Would you like a better understanding of the terminology used by lens designers? Are you interested in learning techniques to better utilize your optical design software? Have you always wanted to know what the difference is between spherical aberration and coma or where those crazy optical tolerances come from? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this course is for you! This full day course begins with a review of basic optics, including paraxial optics, system layout, and lens performance criteria. A discussion of how different system specifications influence the choice of design form, achievable performance, and cost will be presented. Third-order aberration theory, stop shift theory, and induced aberrations are examined in detail. Factors that affect aberrations and the principles of aberration correction are discussed. Demonstrations of computer aided lens design are given accompanied by a discussion of optimization theory, variables and constraints, and local vs. global optimization. Techniques for improving an optical design are illustrated with easy-to-understand examples. The optical fabrication and tolerancing process is explored including an example comparison between a simple copier lens and a complex lithography lens (used to print computer circuit boards) to help explain why some optical designs require precision mechanics and precision assembly and some do not. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - determine how to improve a design - classify the limits imposed by aberration theory - use optical design software to its best advantage - design toleranced, easily manufacturable lenses - specify and evaluate a lens system - interpret ray-intercept plots - describe the source and correction of aberrations Instructor(s): Julie Bentley is an Associate Professor at The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in geometrical optics, optical design, and product design for more than 15 years. She received her B.S., M.S., and PhD in Optics from the The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester. After graduating she spent two years at Hughes Aircraft Co. in California designing optical systems for the defense industry and then twelve years at Corning Tropel Corporation in Fairport, New York designing and manufacturing precision optical assemblies such as microlithographic inspection systems. She has experience designing a wide variety of optical systems from the UV to the IR, refractive and reflective configurations, for both the commercial and military markets. Event: SPIE Photonics West 2017 Course Held: 1 February 2017